Brave Sons of the Karakum Desert

Our ancestors were right when they said: “A winter day has forty faces, and all of them are harsh.” Indeed, winter days can be rainy one moment and windy the next, constantly changing. For this reason, winter becomes a serious test in the lives of devoted livestock breeders working on distant pastures. However, for those who consider thorough preparation for every season a sacred duty, no hardship is insurmountable — they overcome nature’s severe challenges with dignity. There are many such dedicated herders in our region’s livestock farms.

The “Garagum” livestock farm of the Halaç district is considered one of the leading farms in the region. The results achieved year after year by its hardworking livestock breeders are truly commendable. Last year as well, they achieved high results in lamb and kid production, as well as in wool output. These days, herders are working tirelessly to ensure that livestock are well-fed and kept warm through the winter, striving to bring them safely through the season. To provide additional feed during cold weather, they prepared 421 tons of fodder. They are also actively preparing for the upcoming lambing and kidding season.

— Our pastures stretch 150 kilometers away from the village, deep into the Karakum Desert. There, 23 flocks of sheep are located, and a total of 6,667 sheep are wintered on the farm. These flocks are entrusted to 23 experienced tenant shepherds. As a result, each shepherd approaches his work with a strong sense of responsibility and dedication. We also concluded the past International Year of Peace and Trust with good results. We obtained 102 lambs from every 100 ewes, fulfilling the plan by 102 percent. Especially experienced shepherds such as Nurmyrat Allaberdyev, Chary Begmyradov, and Gurban Jumakulyyev achieved outstanding results and became role models for their colleagues, — says farm manager Bagtyyar Hudaykulyyev.

The livestock breeders of our farm have also entered the current year — “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — the Land of Swift Horses and Great Aspirations” — with great confidence. From the very first days of the year, they have been working diligently, making a worthy contribution to the development of the country’s livestock sector. These days, along with ensuring warm wintering of sheep, they are actively preparing for the upcoming lambing season. In spring, they plan to obtain 105 lambs from every 100 ewes. Currently, the flocks are wintered in warm shelters and kept in protected areas during cold weather. Sufficient fodder has been prepared. Not only the sheep grazing on grass-rich pastures around wells such as “Borjak,” “Magtymguly,” “Bükri,” “Gayaly Baba,” and “Garatagan,” but also the rest of the livestock are in good condition, — notes the farm manager.